volkmann



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. H. VOLKMANN.

VENDING MACHINE No. 598,545. Patented Feb. 8, 1898.

WITNESSES:

(No'ModeL) 2 SheetsSheet; 2.

J. H. VOLKMANN. VENDING MAGHINE No. 598,545. Patented P55. 8,1898.

ATTORNEYS nun STATES PATENT Trice.

JOHN H. VOLKMANN, OF NEIV YORK, N. Y.

VENDING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 598,545, datedFebruary 8 1898. Application filed November 8,1897. fierial No. 657,729.(No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN H. VOLKMANN, a subject of the Emperor ofGermany, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, haveinvented certain Improvements in (loin- Testers for Coin-ControlledApparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to coin-testers for coincontrolled apparatus, suchas vending-machines; and the invention is in the nature of animprovement upon the device forming the subject-matter of my formerpatent, No. 483,188, which was issued to me on the 27th day ofSeptember, 1892.

The object of my present invention is to render more effective thedevice of my former patent above referred to, and to provide a devicewhich will reject or prevent all manner of coins or tokens except thoseembodying all of the characteristics of the coin intended to be usedfrom operating the delivering or operating mechanism.

To this end my invention consists ,in the novel arrangement andcombination ofparts hereinafter described and claimed.

I11 the accompanying drawings,wherein like characters representcorresponding parts in the various views, Figure 1 is a detailed sideview of the preferred form of coin-tester embodying my invention. Fig. 2is a like view of the same looking from the opposite side. Fig. 3 is atransverse sectional view of the same on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, showingthe movable plate in the closed position and a false coin held by themagnet. Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the false coin released. Fig. 5is a face view of the front plate of the apparatus containing thecoin-slot, the cointester being shown in dotted lines. Fig. 6 is a likeView showing a modified form of cointester embodying my invention. Fig.7 is a sideview with a portion of the casing broken away ofsuflicientnumber of parts of avending apparatus to showthe applicationof a coin-tester embodying my invention. Fig. 8 is a detailed side viewof the modifi ed form of coin-tester illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. Fig.9 is a like View of the same looking from the opposite side. Fig. lOis atransverse sectional view of the same, taken on the line 1010 of Fig. 8,showing the false coin held by the magnet. Fig. 11 is a similar viewshowing ing my invention.

the false coin released from the magnet on the introduction of the nextsucceeding coin.

Reference is first had to the device illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5,inclusive, which represent the preferred form of coin-tester embody-W'hile Figs. 1 and 2 represent the coin-tester as standing in ahorizontal position, it should be understood that in use the coin-testerassumes an inclined position, as indicated in Figs. 7, 8, and 9, forconveying the coin therethrough.

It should first be pointed out that the cointester of my inventionconstitutes, in a sense, a portion of a coin-chute, so that the coin inits passage from the coin-inlet or slot-opening of the apparatus to thedelivering mechanism must pass through the coin-tester. I

It is immaterial forthe purposes of my in vention what character ofdelivery or operating mechanism is used, inasmuch as the coin-tester maybe employed with any character of coin-controlled apparatus, and hence Ihave shown no delivering or operating mechanism.

In Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, A repre sents a stationary plate, whichis connected with the instrument in any suitable manner. This plate A isprovided at its lower edge with a coin-track ac, which is cut away or recessed for a portion of its length, as indicated at y, for the purposeof allowing a coin of less thickness than that required to operate theapparatus to pass through therecess formed in the track. The movableplate B is pivoted to the stationary plate by a pivotpin a or otherwise.The movable plate B is normally maintained in contact with the track ofthe plate A bya spring Z), which passes around the pivot a and bearsagainst the upper edge of the movable plate. The plate B is providedwith an elongated'perfd ration, as indicated at c, for purposes whichwillhereinafter appear. To one of the plates A B (to the plate A in thepresent instance) a magnet O is pivoted,as indicated at d. In thepresent instance I have illustrated this magnet as being carried by aframe e ,wl1ich is pivoted to the stationary plate A. The magnet isconnected with the opposite plate from that which carries it by asuitable connection f, so that a movement of the plates away from eachother will cause the magnet being pivoted to the pin a.

' to be moved around its pivot. In the present instance the connectionfis shown to comprise a link f, which is hooked into the plate 13 andpasses at its free end through an aperture in the frame 2 of the magnet.The free end of this link is bent at right angles to the length of thelink, (see Fig. 2,) so as to allow of a free movement of the link in theslot until the bend in the end of the link contacts with the frame 6,for purposes which will hereinafter appear. The effect of the movementof the movable plate is to move the magnet or the poles of the magnetaway from the plate through which it projects and out of the path of thecoin. In the present instance the stationary plate has been recessed toenable the magnet'or the poles of the magnetto be projected through it.This magnet O is normally maintained in the position near the path ofthe coin, as illustrated in Fig. 3, by a coiled spring g or by othersuitable means. The movable plate may, if desired, be provided with oneor more arms D, which are adapted to pass through the stationary plateand to be moved across the path of the coin in its passage through thecoin-tester when the movable plate is moved away from the stationaryplate with which it cooperates. A finger h is carried by the movableplate and normally projects across a portion of the coin-inlet openingin the face-plate or slotplate E on the instrument. The projection i maylikewise extend from the stationary plate to guide the coin in itspassage from the coin-inlet to the coin-tester. It may also be founddesirable to providethe tester with a hinged washer-catcher F, which isshown as In my preferred construction this washer-catcher is located inthe path of movement of the magnet around its pivot, so that when theplates are separated by the introduction of a coin the magnet will bemoved into contact with the washer-catcher and move it out of the pathof the coin, (see Fig. 4,) thereby withdrawing the arm of thewasher-catcher from the perforation of the washer if one has caught,thus allowing the washer to drop from between the plates A B.

As before stated, the coin-tester is mounted in the device in aninclined position, as represented in Fig. 7, and is likewise maintainedin a position inclined to one side, as represented in Figs. 5 and 6.

Upon the introduction of a coin into the device illustrated in Figs. 1-to 5, inclusive, the coin will first contact with the finger h and willmove the movable plate to one side away from the stationary plate, asrepresented in Fig. 4. As soon as the coin has passed the finger h thetension of the spring I) will cause the movable plate B to resume itsnormal position. (Illustrated in Fig.3.) If now the coin be a properone, it will pass along the rail :20 between the plates A and B and willbe conveyed to the delivering mechanism to cooperate therewith todeliver the package or to set the instrument in operation, as the casemay be. If, however, the coin be of insufficient thickness, it will passthrough the recess y in the track so and will not be delivered to thedelivering mechanism. If the coin be of insuflicient diameter, it willpassthrough the perforation c in the plate B. If

a washer of the same diameter and the same thickness of the coinintended to operate the device be introduced into the tester, it will becaught by the washer-catcher F, by reason of the fact that this catchernormally proj ects across the path of the coin and is forced to one sideby the proper coin, and if there is a central perforation in the tokenintroduced into the instrument the second projecting arm of thewasher-catcher will pass into the perforation and prevent the washer orother perforated disk from passing through the coin-tester, as isillustrated in Fig. 8. The introduction of a proper coin will cause theWasher-catcher to be positively shifted to one side in the mannerhereinbefore described. It will likewise be observed that thisintroduction of a proper coin will cause said coin to contact with thefirst arm of the washercatcher and will provide an additional means forreleasing a washer which has been retained by the second arm by forcingthe washer-catcher to one side and consequently withdrawing the secondarm of the catcher from the perforation in the washer. If a magneticdisk or washer be introduced into the coin-tester, it will be held bythe magnet O and be prevented from passing beyond that point. Theintroduction of the next coin will contact with the finger h, separatethe plates in the manner which has been hereinbefore described, therebycausing the magnet to be withdrawn from its position adjacent to thecoin. This will effect the release of the magnetic disk or washer heldby the magnet, since the side wall of the stationary plate will preventthe disk or washer from following the magnet. When the disk or washer isreleased, it will drop from between the plates, as indicated in Fig. 4,and will therefore be ineffective to operate the delivering mechanism.

The purpose of the arms D is to prevent a coin from being forced rapidlythrough the coin-tester, so that each of the various elements willnothave a chance to perform its respective function, or, in other words, toprevent what is known as telegraphing in instruments of this character.It will be observed that the link which forms the connection between themovable plate and the magnet 0 allows of some play to the movable platewithout moving the magnet around its pivot. This is provided so that themovable plate may be operated by the introduction of a coinwithouthaving an unnecessary amount of spring-pressure to overcome inthe initial step of introducing the coin into the instrument. In thisconstruction the coiled spring g, which maintains the magnet in thenormal position, is not moved or a pressure is not nevertheless any suchdisk or washer which exerted against it until the coin has overcome .theinitial resistance of the spring I) while it is being introduced intothe coin-slot.

The device illustrated in Figs. 6, 7, S, 9, 10, and 11 is similar inmany respects to the device hereinbefore described. The modified form ofcoin-tester is provided with a stationary plate A and movable plate B. Arecessed track a; is provided upon the stationary plate, the movableplate is apertured, as indicated at c, a spring isprovided for normallymaintaining the movable plate in contact with the stationary plate, anda magnet O is pivoted to the stationary plate. However, in thisconstruction the magnet is located in a somewhat different manner'fromthat constituting the preferred form of my invention and the means foroperating or withdrawing the magnet are somewhat different. In themodified form an arm j is carried by the movable plate and is shown inthe present instance as being made integral therewith. This arm bearsupon the frame 6, which carries the magnet, and a movement of themovable plate B around its pivot to will cause the magnet to be movedaround its pivot cl, so that the poles of the magnet will be withdrawnfrom the wall of the stationary plate A, through which they project, andwill thereby release the magnetic disk or washer if the same has beencaught by the magnet. The movement of the movable plate in this case iseffected by the introduction of a coin bearing against the finger h inthe manner hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive. The washer-catcher F in this modified construction is operated torelease a washer by the introduction of a proper coin in the followingmanner: The introduction of a proper coin will cause the plates to beseparated in the manner hereinbefore described, which will cause thewasher-catcher which is pivoted to the movable plate to be slightlyelevated. The elevationof the catcher will bring it into contact withthe cam 2 on the stationary plate, which cam will cause the catcher tobe shifted to one side, thereby withdrawing the arms thereof from thewasher if one has been caught by the catcher and the washer will dropfrom between the plates where it is ineffective to operate the deliverymechanism.

Heretofore coin-controlled apparatus have been devised wherein stripperarms or fingers were provided to strip the false coin from the magnet,but there were disadvantages presented in such devices which renderedthem unreliable and uucertain-as, for instance, the stripper-finger wasliable to be projected through the central aperture of the washer heldby the magnet and fail to strip the said washer from the magnet, therebyrendering the device inoperative. It will be observed that by myinvention no stripper arms or fingers are necessary to dislodge amagnetic disk or washer from the magnet, and that is caught by themagnetis effectively stripped from the magnet by the side wall of theplate with which the magnet cooperates.

By my present invention I overcome the disadvantages heretofore found incoin-testers employing magnets and improve the efficiency of the deviceforming the subject-matter of my former patent above referred to, andprovide a coin-tester which will prove efficient under all conditionsand circumstances.

It will be observed that by my present invention all manner of falsecoins are prevented from being conveyed to the delivery mechanism excepta token embodying all of the characteristics of the coin intended to beusedthat is to say, in order to operate the device by a false coin it isnecessary to use an imperforate disk made of non-magnetic metal and ofthe exact diameter and thickness of the coin intended to operate thedevlce.

I-Iaving described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, 1s-- 1. In a coin-tester the combination of a coinchute,a magnet normally projecting through a wall of said coin-chute and meanscontrolled by the introduction of another coin for moving the magnetaway from the wall of the chute through which it projects and out of thepath of the coin.

2. Ina coin-tester the combination of a coinchute, a pivoted magnetnormally projecting through a wall of said coin-chute, and means formoving the magnet around its pivot away from the wall of the chutethrough which it projects and out of the path of the coin, whereby whenthe magnet is moved away fromthe chute any false coin caught by themagnet will be retained against movement by the wall of the chute.

3. In a coin-tester the combination ofa coinchute, a pivoted magnetnormally projecting through a wall of said coin-chute and meanscontrolled by the introduction of another coin for moving the magnetaround its pivot away from the wall of the chute through which itprojects and out of the path of the coin whereby when the magnet ismoved away from the chute any false coin caught by the magnet will beretained against movement by the wall of the chute.

, 4E. In a coin-tester the combination of a coinchute formed of amovable plate and a stationaryplate, a magnet normally projectingthrough one of said plates and a connection between the other of saidplates and a magnet whereby when the plates are moved apart the magnetwill be moved away from the plate through which it projects and out ofthe path of the coin.

5. In a coin-tester the combination of a coinchute formed of a movableplate and a stationary plate, a magnet normally projecting through thestationary plate and a connection between the movable plate and themagnet whereby when the plates are moved apart the magnet will be movedaway from the stationary plate through which it projects and out of thepath of the coin.

6. In a coin-tester the combination of a coinchute formed of a movablespring-pressed plate and a stationary plate, a coin-track carried by oneof said plates, a magnet normally projecting through one of said platesand a connection between the other of said plates and the magnet wherebywhen the plates are moved apart the magnet will be moved away from theplate through which it projects and out of the path of the coin.

7. In a coin-tester the combination ofa coinchute formed ofa movableplate and a stationary plate, a coin-track carried by said stationaryplate, a magnet normally projecting through the stationary plate and aconnection between the movable plate and the magnet whereby when theplates are moved apart the magnet will be moved away from the stationaryplate through which it projects and out of the path ofthe coin.

8. In acoin-tester the combination of a coinchute formed of a movableplate and a stationary plate, a spring-pressed magnet pivoted to andnormally projecting through the stationary plate and a connectionbetween the movable plate and the magnet whereby when the plates aremoved apart the magnet will be moved away from the stationary platethrough which it projects and out of the path of the coin. V

9. In a coin-tester the combination of a coinchute formed of a movableplate and a stationary plate, a coin-track carried by one of saidplates, at coin-discharging aperture in the other plate, a magnetpivoted to and normally projecting through one of the plates and aconnection between the other of said plates and a magnet whereby whenthe plates are moved apart the magnet will be moved away from the platethrough which it projects and out of the path of the coin.

10. In a coin-tester the combination of a coin-chute formed of aspring-pressed movable plate and a stationary plate, a recessedcoin-track carried by said stationary plate, a coin -dischargingaperture in the movable plate, a spring-pressed magnet pivoted to andnormally projecting through the stationary stationary plate, meansconnected with said movable plate which means are adapted to projectacross the coin-inlet, a magnet normally projecting through one of saidplates and a connection between the other of said plates and the magnetwhereby when the coin is inserted in the coin-inlet the plates will beforced apart and the magnet will "be moved away from the plate throughwhich it projects. 12. In a coin-tester the combination of a coin-chuteformed of a movable plate and a stationary plate, a finger connectedwith said movable plate which finger is adapted to project across thecoin-inlet, a magnet normally projecting through said stationary plate,and a connection between the movable plate and the magnet whereby when acoin is inserted in the coin-inlet the plates will be forced apart andthe magnet will be moved away from the plate through which it projects.

13. In a coin-tester the combination of a coin-chute formed of aspring-pressed apertured movable plate and a stationary plate, a

recessed coin-track carried by said stationary plate, a finger connectedwith said movable plate which finger is adapted to project across thecoin-inlet, a pivoted spring-pressed magnet normally projecting throughsaid stationary plate and a connection between the movable plate and themagnet whereby when the coin-is inserted in the coin-inlet the plateswill be forced apart and the magnet will be moved away from theplatethrough which it projects.

JOHN H. VOLKMANN.

Witnesses:

CHARLES E. SMITH, GEO. E. MORSE.

